Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has declined the head coaching job at Tennessee, The Oklahoman reported, citing a source close to Gundy.

The news follows a CBSSports.com report earlier Wednesday that Gundy was offered the job, though other reports say it was unclear whether such an offer was extended, The Oklahoman reported.

Oklahoma State sources told The Oklahoman that Gundy was looking at other job opportunities as a way to get more power over the team. Two big issues are nonconference scheduling and a strained relationship with AD Mike Holder, the newspaper reported.

Gundy essentially is an Oklahoma State lifer, having played for the Cowboys, worked as an assistant there then replaced Les Miles as coach at the Big 12 school.

Tennessee is replacing Derek Dooley, who was fired after a mostly miserable tenure in which he went 1-14 in the SEC the past two seasons.

Gundy also was a candidate at Arkansas, but that job went to Wisconsin's Bret Bielema. Louisville coach Charlie Strong also was in strong consideration for the Vols, but he, too, turned down Tennessee on Wednesday, per an SI.com report.

Jon Gruden's name surfaced as a candidate, although Gruden's agent says the former NFL coach never had interest in the position.

Oklahoma State climbed to a school-record 12 wins last season and was in the race for a spot in the national championship game right up until the 2011 season's final week. The Cowboys finished the season ranked third in the country.

This season, the Cowboys opened with a true freshman quarterback. Because of injuries, they ended up playing three different QBs. Still, they were 7-5.